West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-05-06

under cover OF the
darkness, had swiftly and silently Withdrawn
his force from the battle field OF Cross Keys
and Joined Jackson. The dawn Of the 0ti'
found the Confederate army united and ready
for battle opposite Port Republic.
jackson thought quickly and acted almost
as rapidly. He determined 10 hurry across
the river, burn the bridge behind him, SC
Fremont could not cross, then attack Shields
and have it out with him. This was similar
to Jackson's tactics throughout the cam
paign.
The plan was executed as designed.
Col. TYLER led Shields advance. He had
only 5000 men, however, TO throw against
Jacksons whole army. The "Stonewall brig
ader met them first, flying beneath the Con.
federute the blue flag of Virginia. The brig.
age was commanded by Gen. Winder, aild
Jackson himself was with IL.
They opened a lively fire, but Col. Tyler
heavy artillery was too much for even tn
Stoncwal brigade Winder was forced back.
Col Tyer's men speedily occupied the ground
it had left The Federal lcft held n wooded
height, aud from that point deadly artillery
fire poured. Jackson ordered the Louisiana
troops under Gen. Taylor % take IL. Taylor
pointed to the guns with his sword AMI called
TO his men: "Louisianians, can you take thai
batteryr With shout and n cher they
charged over the rough ground and M
through the woods. IL was a desperate and
bloody charge, and it was successful. Tiis
Federal guns wefo captured nnd turned npoH
those who had lately manned them. Taylor
was in turn forced back with hii Confedcr.
ates But Winder bad rallied his men again.
He poured a tremendous artillery fire into
the Federal front and left, and under it the
Union trooys began 10 waver The wayerine
became retreat The artillery horses had
been killed and all Tyler's guns but one bal
to be left on the field
The battle of Port Republic was ended, AM
Shields had been defeated.
Just as the Federal retreat began Fremont
appeared with his army on the opposite bans
Of the river But it was too late. The bridge
Lad been destroyed
After the battle Of Port Republic, June o
jackson escaped up the valley. He dis
patched to Lee that day:
Through Gods blessing the enemy wes this dag
routed with the loss Of six pieces of his artillery.
T. J. Jackson.
Major General Commanding.
BY June Is be was OH bis way 10 join Inc
at Richmond.
After Port Republic Fremont and Shields
fingered in the valley n while The -four
principal battles OF the Shenandoah valley
campaign were Winchester otherwise KerIis-
town., Mcdowell, Cross Keys and Port Re
public.
The campaign Of tue Shenandoah valley OF
T.
ment from Winchester to Staunton. 10 end
ed June with the battle of Port Republic.
1t had paraIyzcd all the Union movements
before Richmond. The breach which had al
ready been widening between Gen. Mcclellan
and Secretary Of War Stanton was by this
camfaign made irreparable. When Mellow
ellis men were ordered to the Shenandoah,
aftss- having been so.cmnly promised to Nc
Clel an, the latter gave over hope of ever
getting from Washington the re-enforcemen's
lie needed, though be still continued 10 NIX
for them. As TO what the campaign directly
effected, Cooke, In bis life OF jackson, says:
sin three months jackson had marched
coo miles, fought four pitched battle, seyen
minor engagements and daily sldrmishcs: bad
defeated four armies, captured 1900 prison
cfs, oc'el PicSeS vi al eiir'y' i'.'1' 'S'''] ~
arms and very great amount OF stores, in
ficting on his adversary Known lcss of2,0JJ
men. with loss ON bis own part conipaI-
atively small
How it was possible for him TO thus make
successful raid downthe whole length OF the
Shenandoah valley aid back again, with
armies on three sides OF him, containing alto
gcther moro than three times as many nien as
Els own, Is one of the mysteries OF war that
has never been solved. It was oil dash, a
sweep, blow, and ttcn up and away again:
Rein u2 your hot horses and call In your men,
Ths trumpet sounds Rally to colors again"
6ome saddles are empty, some comrades arc
slain,
And some noble horses lie stark on the plain.
But wars chance game, boys, and weeping =
vain -